My favorite un-obvious things from an RF owner: 1) muuuuch improved interior 2) stock wheels are actually pretty nice 3)unique-ness, miatas may be the best selling roadster of all time but in midwest USA I have seen maybe 30 NDs EVER on the roads 4) practicality, easy to park, cheap to run and fill up, perfect to zip around in traffic Love your list and agree with all points, the ND RF is fantastic!
i agree about the stock wheels. they're beautiful. maybe they're not quite as light as the BBS optional wheels, but they're better looking, and a lot easier to clean.
Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪! This car has got it all, except from boot space ;-) But I love my machine grey MX-5. I recently changed my springs to Eibach springs and it was a huge improvement 👍
@@CheeZytK Jag har ingen direkt erfarenhet av att köra Mazda MX-5 Miata RF på vintern eftersom det är min andra bil. Som en liten, lätt, bakhjulsdriven bil tror jag inte att den skulle vara den bästa på vintern. Men med en bra uppsättning vinterdäck kan det vara hanterbart.
2018 ND RF GT Owner. 1. The paint on the Ceramic Metallic seems too thin on the nose. 2. Loss of space on the passenger side due to transmission bump. 3. Wind noise in targa mode. 4. Rides too high off the wheels, $300 modification to springs fixes this. 5. Needs a bit more power and higher red line. (fixed in 2019+ models) 6. That antenna. I mean really Mazda.. 7. Lower running lights off when headlights on. Mx5things fixes this with a mod. 8. Finally, the water pools you get in the trunk (under the lid) when washing car. Other than that, love my car. Two year owner, daily driver.
I’m looking for a direct comparison between the RF and the soft top cabin decibel rating at highway speed; one with tops up and one with tops down. I can’t seem to find that anywhere. I’m going to buy a new Miata, but these numbers will help me to decide on RF or soft top.
I completely agree with your list and would add two things. The ergonomics (other than the skinny steering wheel) are fantastic. When I get in, it feels like I’m putting on the car like a piece of clothing and the driving controls are all perfectly positioned. I also appreciate the bulletproof reliability of the Miata, even when driven aggressively.
I’m leaning toward a soft top nd mx5 now. Also looking at Subaru BRZ. Getting close to pulling the trigger. I really need to go sit in one... I’m a bigger dude. 230 lbs, 6ft tall. I appreciate the videos 👍
I just picked up mine this past Saturday (after waiting since January for delivery), so I don't have a lot of time with it (since it's not a daily driver), but I'm really loving it so far. Was missing the lightweight, rwd feeling that I had when I owned a BRZ, and decided to get back into that segment. I can't wait to get more time behind the wheel, as what time I've spent with it has been a real joy.
I have the same car but a 2017 launch edition. I love the dam thing. Same color, same color nappa leather, and a manual. Cant beat it as a drivers car.
@@TheLemonFactor I recently put a goodwin race exhaust on it and it sounds perfect now. Quiet when i'm cruising but sings when i wind it out. Even it being the 155hp nd1 its still as quick as i need it to be. Your spot on about the machine gray color too, it and the ceramic white are my favorites. I hope you enjoy yours and drive safe.
I don't know if you remember we already spoke about the rear suspension online.. now get this two days after we chatted on RU-vid someone reversed into the side of mine and it's literally just going to the Body Shop yesterday to get repaired. I've now got a Peugeot 208 as replacement car.. Cheers Phil from Newark
Phil, sure I remember. That's horrible. I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully you won't be without the car for too long, and they'll fix it as good as new.
@@TheLemonFactor that's for replying, driving the Peugeot 208 replacement car yesterday you do realise how fantastic mx5"s are when you compare them to the run of mill car's .....Cheers Phil from Newark
Hi Chad. In the time of your ownership have you had any issue at all with the manual transmission? Given the scarcity of vehicles with a manual transmission, it's not hard to imagine a near future where mechanics will have no clue how to fix one so I'm wondering if you or know of any problems it has. Thanks for the video BTW
Have you watched my videos regarding issues with the Miata? I personally have not had issues with the manual transmission, but have heard that there has been transmission problems especially with the ND1 transmissions. 🤷♂️
Great review and I agree after just a couple of weeks with my 2020. How about those run flat tires???? I'm thinking about going with regular tires to improve ride quality. Do you know if I have to stick to stock tire size or can I install slightly wider tires on the stock rims (which I like)?
My stock Bridgestone tires aren't run flat... I really don't like run flats. Although I haven't done so, I have heard that many have increased the width of the tire on the stock rim without any problems - keeping the increase reasonable that is ; )
I like the look of the RF. Have owned 3. Two NA and an NC currently. I don't care so much that is a convertible, so prefer the RF and hopefully I will get a used one as prices fall.
I always thought about getting the Miata, but when the changed the look in 2016 (ND) my interest increased. Then I saw a gray RF at a gas station and I was sold.
Maybe you didn’t watch both videos close enough. 🤷♂️ The ND Miata’s manual shifter and clutch are very smooth and a joy to drive, however, there are known issues with them failing, especially in the ND earlier years. Next time, feel free to ask for clarity, rather than providing a curt comment.
🎶 That naturally aspirated engine & glorious engine note right up to 7500rpm - it really is so epic I will routinely not have the Bose sound system on at all - just to hear that engine sing. 🎶
What? If it's running 168 wheel horsepower and the claimed or advertised crank horsepower is 181, that means the drivetrain loss is only a little over 7%? Either that is true or Mazda underrated the horsepower figure. Something near 195 or so.
@@TheLemonFactor Yes, I'm aware of that--there's Dynojet, Mustang, Dynapack and Dyno Dynamics here in the US at least. I've also read that typically, Dynojet numbers read about 12% higher than Mustang's, and Dynapack is higher than Dynojet by about 8-10%.
My top 7. 1. Looks, especially the RF with BBS Package on Machine Gray 2. Suspension and handling 3. Red line, torque is fantastic on this little motor 4. Manual Trans - this car would be fun with any kind of a transmission 5. Gas Mileage - I get around 28 mixed highway/city and over 42 highway! 6. Price - I paid $25,900.00 on a car with very low miles! 7. Engine sound - it's hard for me to find any 4 banger car that sounds good...it's OK.
@@TheLemonFactor I rearranged your list...if it were my list, I think I would throw out engine sound and say, "Interior Design" which I thinks is awesome and very fitting to the car.
Yes, I have heard this a lot, so I'm inclined to believe it. As I was aware of this before buying my car, I immediately had PPF installed (I have a video on it) as soon as I purchased the car. So, while I don't have any first hand experience to comment on (thankful), I am glad that I protected the front with PPF, which has been holding up nicely.
I think you're looking for the other video of "Things I don't like". For me, I heard about the thin paint prior to getting the car, so I had PPF applied immediately after getting it, so personally I don't have any first hand experience (thankfully).
@@TheLemonFactor hi yes it's nice job .. . I did ask about getting the whole bonnet and front bumper respray but it was £800 so I'm just going to forget that.. .Cheers Phil from Newark
It's from the Mazdacollection. Currently they have a 25% discount offer for Father's Day. Here's the link: www.mazdacollection.com/men-s-mx-5-miata-print-cotton-t-shirt.html
Changing the front bar is a SOB but worth it. Only option is to cut it out and replace it with the optional three piece adj bar, expensive!!! Have fun!
What after market items have you added? Looks like smoke side turn signals, and other lights? I have had my 2020 ND RF for three months now and started adding items like the spoiler, Stubby antenna, mud guards, and ordered the smoke sequential turn signals. Looking at other items. Loving mine too, and had a 2014 NC Club prior!!
I love seeing the number of people who have owned a Miata prior to the ND - says a lot for the car and Miata culture. You can see some of the things I've done under the playlist: ru-vid.com/group/PL6GIjocw_OdeTZ6NL3DEcRFDlkwIY4az- I'll also be working on the suspension very soon.
Thanks for the video! I just got my 21 club softop this week with BBS package and machine gun grey. One question, what exhaust would provide the deepest exhaust note if I'm looking to do the whole system. Thanks
I'm okay with the color options... I was leaning toward the black, and seriously considered the red or blue, but felt that the blue although really sharp wasn't sporty enough. The red, while beautiful is a color I've had so many times. The first Miata RF I saw was a pristine (clean, waxed, shinny) Machine Grey that convinced me that I really wanted one. And lastly... I would really love a nice green, or a Porsche Sapphire Blue, and a black or grey body would be the ideal color for the basis of a wrap ; )
So do you have a lot? If it's actually going through the PPF those are some substantial stones. My PPF may get a little marked up, but with the self healing capabilities of the PPF, I can simply apply some heat. Luckily I don't have any chips that have penetrated the PPF itself.
Good question, and yes. However, the high revving, 7500 rpm redline does help makeup for it. Hopefully in the future we'll be able to add some meaningful torque to this care by way of FI (turbo or supercharger). There is a lot of lean, but that lean helps you to read exactly what the car is doing and where the tires will break loose. I will be upgrading the suspension for that reason, I just hope the car maintains it's communicative feel. Honestly, I was all over the place when I was looking at the Miata - the next closest in consideration was the new Toyota Supra, or an older used car.
@@TheLemonFactor When people ask "what is that" and they do a lot, I tell them it's a MX-5, but they use to be called Miatas back in the day. They usually reply with something like "Wow, they've really upped their game, love it, blah blah"
